Whether Bayou (whom Claiborne Farm retained for racing and breeding) was the superior of her full sister Levee(whom Claiborne sold) as a racer is debatable, but she came along in a weaker year for 3-year-old fillies and was able to secure a divisional championship. She produced only one stakes winner, but her daughters bred on to great effect.

Race record

32starts, 7wins, 8seconds, 4thirds, US$143,759

1957:

Won Delaware Oaks (USA, 9FD, Delaware)

Won Acorn Stakes (USA, 8FD, Belmont)

Won Gazelle Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Belmont)

Won Maskette Handicap (USA, 8FD, Belmont)

2nd Coaching Club American Oaks (USA, 11FD, Belmont)

Honors

American champion 3-year-old filly (1957)

Assessments

Rated at 120 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American fillies and mares of 1957, tops for 3-year-old fillies but 6 pounds below highweight Pucker Up, the champion handicap female.

As an individual

A chestnut, Bayou was a feminine, correct filly standing 15.3 hands. She was a bit light of bone but had a deep shoulder, strong hips and well let down hocks, as well as an excellent temperament. She was retired after cracking a sesamoid in her third start as a 4-year-old.

As a producer

Bayou produced 11 named foals, of which nine started and eight won. Her important foals are as follow:

Batteur(1960, by ﻿Bold Ruler﻿) won six good stakes races including the 1964 Santa Margarita Handicap and the 1965 Santa Barbara Handicap. She is the dam of 1977 Illinois Derby (USA-III) winner Flag Officer (by Hoist the Flag) and the second dam of three stakes winners including 1980 Turf Classic Invitational Handicap (USA-IT) winner Anifa. She is the third dam of German Group II winner Water Moccasin.

Alluvial (1969, by Buckpasser) is the dam of two-time American champion Slew o' Gold (by Seattle Slew) and multiple Grade I winner Coastal (by Majestic Prince), winner of the 1979 Belmont Stakes (USA-I). She is the second dam of multiple Grade I winner Aptitude and 1995 Hollywood Oaks (USA-I) winner Sleep Easy and the third dam of 1998 Gran Premio Nacional Augusto B. Leguia (PER-I) winner Tunelero (a two-time Peruvian champion) and Grade II winnersState of Play and Lattice.

Bayou Blue (1971, by Bold Ruler) is the second dam of Grade III winner Country Light. She is the third dam of 2007 American champion 2-year-old male War Pass, 1996 Spinaway Stakes (USA-I) winner Oath and multiple Grade II winner Great Intentions.

Pampas Miss (1974, by Pronto) is the second dam of multiple Grade II winner Sixieme Sens and Spanish Group III winner Mdudu.

Connections

Foaled in Kentucky, Bayouwas bred and owned by Claiborne Farm. She was trained by Moody Jolley.

Pedigree notes

Bayouis inbred 5x3 to Ultimus. She is a full sister to 1956 Coaching Club American Oaks winner Levee, the 1970 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year. She is also a half sister to Delta (by Nasrullah), a major stakes winner at 2 and 4 and the 1968 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year; to 1954 Correction Handicap winner Banta (by Some Chance), dam of 1962 Golden Gate Handicap winner Mandate (by Prince John), second dam of 1973 American champion 2-year-old filly Talking Picture and 1966 Grey Lag Handicap winner Selari and third dam of multiple Grade I winner Big Spruce and the top-class mare Manta; and to the stakes-winning hurdler Ambassador (by Nasrullah).